As the year progresses, GM's are going to be forced to face the big issues of their teams; restricted and unrestricted free agents.

Plenty of big name players will be looking for new contracts and will have the opportunity this offseason. These teams need to lock these players up now to help their teams make a push for the Stanley Cup.

These are the Top 20 players who are looking for, and deserve, a new contract in my opinion.

Brent Seabrook, D, Chicago Blackhawks

The Chicago Blackhawks have been picked apart by salary woes and this upcoming offseason may see another go.

He will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and will be up for a raise from his three-year, $3.5 million contract.

Seabrook is a defensive defenseman that has been a solid defender for the ‘Hawks in the regular season and the post season. He has 13 points through the beginning quarter of the season and has managed 67 hits and 24 blocked shots, making him one of the best defenders in the NHL.

James Wisniewski, D, New York Islanders

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James Wisniewski, D, New York Islanders

At 26-years-old, James Wisniewski is a good offensive defenseman that would be a good fit with a shut-down defender. He will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason and is making $3.25 million this year.

Eleven of Wisniewski’s 14 points this season have been produced from the power play and he has been a bright spot on a bad Islanders team.

He’s not terrible defensively, having 31 hits and 23 blocked shots, but he is mainly and offensive defenseman.

T.J. Oshie, F, St. Louis Blues

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T.J. Oshie, F, St. Louis Blues

This 23-year-old superstar in the making will be a huge part of the revival of St. Louis hockey if he can stay healthy.

He is scheduled to become a restricted free agent and is earning $1.275 million this year. His season has been limited this year because of a broken ankle but he is going to be a hot commodity this offseason.

In 13 games, he has ten points, four of which were on the power play, and he added 24 hits before suffering a broken ankle.

Luke Schenn, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

Luke Schenn could be the future of the blue line for the Maple Leafs for years to come if they would be willing to sign him to a long term deal.

He is 21-years-old and will be a restricted free agent at the end of the season.

His offensive play hasn’t been amazing but his defensive play has been damn good. He has managed a +4 while blocking 48 shots and having 67 hits and has helped hold down the blue line in captain Dion Phaneuf’s absence.

Niclas Lidstrom, D, Detroit Red Wings

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Nicklas Lidstrom, D, Detroit Red Wings

At 40-years-old, Lidstrom is still one of the top ten defenders in the league and is being paid as such, earning $6.5 million this year.

He is the leader of the defense and of the whole team and he needs to come back for at least one more season. It would be wise for the Red Wings to go after a big name, young defender like Shea Weber and let Lidstrom hand him the reigns.

Lidstrom has added to the mix consistently on the power play and at even strength. Over the first 22 games of the season, he has 20 points with 17 being assists.

Milan Hejduk, F, Colorado Avalanche

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Milan Hejduk, F, Colorado Avalanche

Although he is 34-years-old, Milan Hejduk has been perennially good for the Avalanche over the years.

Through 24 games this season, Hejduk has been impressive and helped lead a young Colorado team. He has 19 assists (fifth in the NHL), 27 points (ninth in the NHL), and five power-play goals (seventh in the NHL).

As an unrestricted free agent, he could draw a lot of attention but I believe that the Avalanche will do the right thing and bring Hejduk back.

Sean O'Donnell, D, Philadelphia Flyers

Sean O’Donnell was brought into Philadelphia this offseason to try to fix up the backend of the defense and alleviate some time from the overworked top defenders.

Not only has the experiment worked, its turned out better than could have expected. O’Donnell has been shut down defensively, posting a league best +17.

As a veteran and a previous Stanley Cup champion, the Flyers would be foolish to not resign him. He is only making $1.3 million this year so if we can continue to pay him that much, it would be a nice fit for at least one more year.

Shea Weber, D, Nashville Predators

When it pays for Shea Weber, it’s worth it. He will be a restricted free agent at the end of this season and will be a 'must sign' for the Predators.

Weber is one of the best defensemen in the league and has been an excellent captain at only 25 years old. His offense hasn’t been what the team had hoped for but he has not let his offensive struggle affect his defensive play.

The Nashville defender has blocked 42 shots and has added 67 hits to stir the pot. He is one of the most complete defenders in the league.

Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings

At 20 years old, Drew Doughty has exceeded anyone’s expectations of playing defense at the NHL level. It is one of the hardest positions to play in hockey and experience is a key to being good.

Doughty has been the Stamkos of the blue line since being drafted and will be getting paid as such this offseason. He is a restricted free agent who will command a long term deal worth more annually than he earns against the cap of $3.475 million.

Doughty battled an injury earlier in the season but has started to get healthy as the season has moved along. He has seven points while laying 43 hits and blocking 30 shots. Doughty has a very bright future in LA if they want to keep him.

Brad Richards, F, Dallas Stars

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Brad Richards, F, Dallas Stars

If the Stars want to be a contender for the next few years, it would be in their best interest to lock up Brad Richards.

At 30, Richards is still a very effective forward. He has 11 goals and 17 assists and is a +11. With 28 points, he ranks seventh in the league and has been among the elite forwards through the first part of the season.

He is making $7.8 million this year and will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2011. If he continues this point pace, he will be in line for a payday along the same lines.

Steven Stamkos, F, Tampa Bay Lightning

Stamkos is about to become a restricted free agent after earning, with salary and player bonuses, $3.725 million each of the last three years. At 20 years old, his future is bright.

The Lightning star has been a point machine; he has 21 goals (first in the NHL), 19 assists (fifth in the NHL), 40 points (second in the NHL), ten power-play goals (first in the NHL), and four game winning goals (second in the NHL). Yzerman better sign him long term!

This is where I think a 14 year contract could work financially and with the NHL due to his age and abilities. It would be a wise choice and with the right supporting cast, he could carry a team to a championship.

Alexander Semin, F, Washington Capitals

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Alexander Semin, F, Washington Capitals

He could be one of the biggest unrestricted free agents in recent memory if the Capitals don’t lock him up long term. Semin is making $6 million this year and will be in for a raise if he continues this point pace.

Semin has been more productive this year than all star teammate Alexander Ovechkin and has been one of the most productive forwards offensively in the league.

In 25 games this season, he has 18 goals (second in the NHL), 30 points (fifth in the NHL), and six power play goals (third in the NHL).

With a lot of money locked up on the big stars, the Capitals will be in a salary cap crunch if they sign him and could become less of a contender without him. He is a must sign but look what the must sign in New Jersey did.